Burn the Marriage, Keep the Crown

Chapter 288

At that moment, everyone noticed her eyes were brimming with tears. Yet not a single one fell; they clung stubbornly to her lashes, making her seem all the more poised and untouchable-like no pain could truly reach her.

"I have nothing more to say," Serena spoke, her voice steady. "Everything that needs to be said has already been represented by my attorney. The antique was my father's legacy to me. Since he entrusted it to me, I intend to honor his wishes and keep it safe."

Her words barely faded before a wave of angry voices surged up behind her.

"She's shameless! She's the reason her own father died, and she still dares to say that?"

"Unbelievable! There's no way she should get to keep the antique!"

"That's right! She can't have it!"

A flurry of furious murmurs filled the courtroom.

The judge glanced uneasily at Serena, clearly at a loss for how to proceed.

But Serena sat tall, her back perfectly straight. No matter how vile the insults hurled her way, her expression never wavered, not a hint of surrender in her eyes.

Giles, seated beside her, finally allowed himself a breath of relief. He watched Serena with clear admiration. Earlier, he'd worried she might buckle under the guilt-haunted by memories of her parents' deaths—and give up the inheritance herself. Clearly, he'd underestimated her.

that you proceed according to the

of his daze. With a

stood up

thoroughly examined the case.

Civil Code... the court rules as follows: the antique shall remain in the possession of

broke out in

the din. "If you

appeal within fifteen days of receiving the written

finished speaking, then looked toward Penelope.

managed to

announced

began to file out. For a long

as if

feet and strode across the aisle separating her from Serena. Without warning, she raised her hand, aiming to

father and now you have the nerve to keep his things? If I'd known what

she could strike,

with an icy

shivered. His hand

as